Brickhouse Talk: Ramonda Cutrer Chats With Golden State Warriors Cheerleader Amber Browning
By Ramonda Cutrer
BrickhouseTalk.com
January 16, 2012

Brickhouse Talk kicks off the year with a great interview with the lovely Ms. Amber Browning. Amber speaks with Ramonda Cutrer on her life as a Oakland CA Golden State Warrior Cheerleader along with clearing up mis-perceptions of a professional cheerleader.

Amber possess a positive attitude with a winning smile. She’s a intellectual and her “young” life is filled with many great accomplishments. She openly spoke with and answered question posed by current cheerleaders, aspiring cheerleader and their parents who were in attendance. Amber instilled in them the importance of education! Being a professional cheerleader can certainly be a career choice, however working full-time or going to school full-time is a requirement.

This was very genuine and pleasant interview. Amber Browning is a very determine young lady with a bright future ahead. She has great energy and represents the Warrior organization professionally. She followed her dream and is reaping the benefits of her hard work and dedication! A true BRICKHOUSE!

Thank you Amber for your support and Brickhouse Talk supports you!

Today the San Antonio Talons professional football team announced an open call tryout for the 2012 inaugural season female dance team. The open tryouts will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 8:00 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at 111 East Pecan Street in downtown San Antonio. The Talons’ dance team, the Sky Dancers, will be led by Director and Choreographer Jessica-Marie Sanchez, a veteran dancer and former captain of the San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers, and first place nominee as the NBA’s Hottest Cheerleader.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for area dance enthusiasts,” says Sanchez. “Being a part of a professional dance team that garners a huge community following and national audience is something that most dancers never have the chance to experience, and we are excited to make that dream become a reality here in San Antonio.”

All participants must complete an application by midnight on Friday, January 27; the application is available on the San Antonio Talons website at www.sanantoniotalons.com/sky-dancers. There will be a discounted fee of $25 for participants who register and pre-pay online; participants who register and pay on the day-of auditions will be charged the full fee of $30. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday in the Texas Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“We are looking for young professionals who can bring excitement and energy to the franchise as the Talons become more and more engrained in the San Antonio community,” says Owner and General Manager Jason Lohe. “These women will support the team on the sidelines, but will also support and represent the Talons organization at community and game day events and appearances.”

During the tryouts, the contenders will learn and present a Jazz/Hip Hop Routine and a short sideline combo, they will also have the opportunity to dance a freestyle segment. The women will be trying out in small groups of two to three people in front of a panel of esteemed judges.

The finalists will be announced immediately following the auditions on Saturday; those select individuals will be invited to return to the finalist competition on Monday, January 30. The finalist auditions will also be held at the Crowne Plaza and will be open to family, friends and the general public. More information about the finalist competition, including surprise celebrity judges, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We are happy to host the Talons and the Sky Dancers for this tryout event,” says Crowne Plaza Hotel General Manager Scott Larsen. “A professional football team will bring new visibility to our city, encouraging an influx of fans and visitors to downtown. We look forward to the energy and excitement that the entire Talons franchise will bring to San Antonio.”

For more information about the Sky Dancers tryouts, including eligibility requirements, please visit www.sanantoniotalons.com/sky-dancers or email cheer@sanantoniotalons.com. For regular updates about the Talons, be sure to check out

Seven of the 22 dancers for one of sports’ most celebrated teams have ties to O.C.
By Lou Ponsi
The Orange County Register
Jan 13, 2011

[Photo Gallery]

LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant slams home a reverse dunk to punctuate a recent Lakers’ victory over Phoenix – and the Laker Girls rise up from their spots behind the base lines, turn to the erupting Staples Center crowd and spur the fans on even more with fist pumps and claps.

In their purple, two-piece outfits with gold trim, the 22 dancers – half positioned at each end of the court, always – celebrate every Laker basket and free throw the same way.

They are dancers, not cheerleaders, performing hip-hop and jazz routines. The Laker Girls – seven with strong Orange County ties – are as rhythmic in on-court performances during timeouts as the players are during the game. The iconic squad performs up to five dances a game.

Getting one of the coveted spots – and keeping it – isn’t easy.

Many try out multiple times before finally making the squad. Even incumbent Laker Girls must try out each season to win back their spots, says Lisa Estrada, who oversees the dancers.

“It keeps you on your toes,” said Melissa Ednave, 25, of Fullerton, a second-year Laker Girl. “I think people don’t realize the preparation that goes into it.”

Tryouts are typically held every July, in front of nine judges, and start with as many as 600 candidates. By the end of the first day, about 35 are called back.

“Each girl gets a number, and at the end of the round, they call the numbers of the girls they want to come back for the next round,” said Lindsey Riley of Huntington Beach, a rookie Laker Girl. “The most nerve-racking thing is waiting for your number to be called.”

Laker Girls must be able to execute solid dance steps as well as demonstrate an ability to dance as part of team.

“I need the basics to be at a high level,” said Estrada, herself a former Laker Girl. “For me, first impressions are something hard to forget. (And) they are going to be ambassadors, so we definitely need people-people.”

Laker Girls practice two evenings a week for three hours. They must arrive at the arena three hours before games and are required to attend at least three charity events a month, in addition to paid personal appearances (Laker officials would not say how much the women earn).

Their schedules can be crowded. First-year Laker Girl Teresa Giltner is a Fullerton College student who also works full time as a performer at the Disneyland Resort. Jennifer Albeanu, 28, of Fullerton works full time at an equestrian center.

The pair, like the rest of the Laker Girls, find time to represent one of sports’ most-celebrated franchises. A time in their lives when the spotlight is on them, just like it is on the players.

“It’s one of those things you have to slow down to take it in,” Riley said. “I’m trying to slow down and experience it.”

The San Antonio Spurs have updated their dance team page with new photos and profiles. Click here to check it out!

Clippers fans have always been loyal, but with the new additions to the team this season have the Staples Center full to bursting these days. These are exciting times in Lob City and my girls on the Clippers Spirit are bringing it every night. Big ups! Click here to check out a few photos on their facebook page.

New red boots – woot!

Check out this short special about the NBA back in the 80s. The first minute or so has some brief clips of the Laker Girls back in the day, but the rest of the video is worth watching too.

Given how famous they were, and still are, it’s really puzzling why there’s so little vintage Laker Girl stuff out there on the interwebs. It’s been 30+ years. I’m convinced someone is hoarding all of the good stuff.

The Sixers have added individual uniform shots for the newly unveiled Dream Team dance squad. Click here to check ‘em out!

 

GET ORGANIZED THIS NEW YEAR WITH THE STYLE NETWORK’S NEW DOCU-SERIES “THE AMANDAS” ON MONDAY, JANUARY 30 AT 8PM ET/PT

Hurricane Katrina Victim and Organizational Queen Amanda LeBlanc Transforms Lives One Cluttered Room at a Time

Start the New Year out right with organization tips from Amanda LeBlanc and her team in The Style Network’s new docu-series “The Amandas,” which airs Monday, January 30 at 8:00pm ET/PT. This extreme perfectionist and organizational specialist leads a team of young and fashionable organizers to create meticulously functional living spaces with a focus on style and aesthetics. Having lost it all in Hurricane Katrina, LeBlanc knows firsthand what it means to live and thrive with less and helps her clients to let go of the past in order to create elegant, efficient and stress-free environments.

A wife, mom and entrepreneur, Amanda’s desire for perfection has turned her obsession with organization into a lucrative business and growing empire. With her mini army of “Amandas” comprised of spirited Southern women – who don’t always share Amanda’s drive or common sense – and her right-hand man, Dustin Canez, Amanda works around the clock to create structure and exquisite design. Arguments are inevitable within this outspoken group, but Amanda manages to keep the peace and push people to achieve their best with her down-to-earth sense of humor and charm. Each episode, Amanda will meet with a new client to lend her expertise, whether it’s for a blue-blood socialite looking for someone to turn her walk-in closet into a peaceful sanctuary or a single mom whose hoarding has turned her house – and life – into ruins. From garage, to nursery, to attic and even food truck, no space is off-limits for “The Amandas.”
Meet the Cast:

Amanda LeBlanc – Amanda LeBlanc is the owner of “The Amandas”- a professional organizing company whose clients range from borderline hoarders, to overwhelmed soccer moms, to wealthy socialites, to high profile CEOs and celebrities. Amanda is an OCD, detail-obsessed, organizing guru and self-proclaimed “control freak” who combines intimidating sets of neurosis with a gentile charm to effectively manage her team. In 2005, Amanda and her family lost everything to Hurricane Katrina so she is acutely aware of the difference between what one needs and what one wants. After the tragedy, she picked herself up, opened her Birmingham, Alabama-based business while continuing to serve clients in New Orleans and Atlanta.

Dustin Canez – “The Amandas” team would not function without Amanda’s right-hand man and personal assistant, Dustin. Her eyes and ears and even her snitch, Dustin keeps the other five women on track while also managing Amanda’s stress level and work schedule.

Taylor Davis – Taylor is determined, outgoing, and independent and also happens to live with Aunt Amanda! She has inherited the organizing family gene and tries to live up to her aunt’s high expectations, but at 19, her teenage behavior sometimes causes friction with her disciplined aunt.

Savannah Cernosek – Priding herself as the spunky organizer with a great sense of style, Savannah’s go-getter attitude has put her steps above the rest of the team. Sarcastic and occasionally ruthless, she has been known to give attitude but always endeavors to stay professional… especially with Amanda!

Rachel Vicknair – Drop dead gorgeous, Rachel holds the beauty pageant titles of Ms. Louisiana State and Ms. New Orleans. She is strong, outgoing and determined to become Amanda’s number two. With all the qualities of an excellent organizer combined with killer looks, will Rachel reign supreme among the other ambitious girls?

Havilah Malone – As a former corporate manager, Havilah is outspoken, passionate and tenacious, which are all qualities that Amanda holds dear. Always one to speak her mind, she won’t put up with any nonsense as she climbs to the top of Amanda’s ladder.

Alicia Lewis – This brainy beauty, with three college degrees already under her belt, isn’t afraid to think out of the box and bring new ideas to the table. She is always ready to take up any challenge with the skills she has mastered by working with Amanda. However, don’t be fooled by her sweet and quiet disposition. She can always use her clever wits and know-how to outshine the bunch!

Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelVicknair